Biodecomblism
The world is being treated as if nature, humans and technology are separate. The Urban environment and technologies are viewed as an opposite, as an enemy of nature. This view causes humans to have a detached experience to the living world.
Biodecomblism views the grown world and the human built world as one and the same. The living growing world. The Urban environment and technology are as alive and growing as a forest or garden. This is seen in human interactions and other living structures within the technology and cities and the way materials in cities function similarly to natural cycles like decomposition, regrowth and renewal.
Take for example the tree in the forest grows, dies decomposes and becomes nutrients for new growth. Similarly, buildings and cities are constructed, decay, get demolished and sometimes get repurposed or recycled.
Biodecombolism embraces the natural cycle of decay.
Recognizing every part of the world as the living growing world helps humans connect to nature even when they're not physically in the forest at that moment.
Feelings of connectedness to nature are beneficial to human's mental, physical and spiritual health. Contrary to other eco-design and nature focused 'isms, biodecomblism rejects forced sustainability efforts and decisions that come forth from guilt, fear and ideals of preservation.
biodecomblism acknowledges extinction as part of the cycle of life and decisions are not made to preserve the human race.
Biodecomblism embraces decay and loss.
The connection to the living World is not reliant on permanence.
Like the Seasons changing, like a tree in the forest decomposing, the extinction of many plants, animals, and possibly the human species will happen, but it doesn't keep us from forming a connection to the living world.
This does not imply in difference. Biodecomblism does encourage sustainable decisions from a place of care and connectedness.
Biodecomblism rejects the idea of 'green' or 'sustainable' consumable products that are only accessible to wealthier humans and the idea that connectedness to nature is to be bought within a capitalist structure. Biodecomblism is anti-consumerist, anti-capitalist, anti-product and focuses more on sharing the mindset, the religion.
Set of ideas that comes from biodecomblism:
If humans are part of the living, growing world, should design be focused around the human experience? Or rather around non-human perspectives like that of animals, plants or even machines?
For example:
- How do birds, insects and urban wildlife experience the urban landscape as living ecosystems?
- Ideas like: buildings that decay purposefully like a fallen tree feeding new growth
- A machine that isn't just a tool but has its own relationship with the environment
- The idea that products are part of a larger system of life rather than just for human use
An example is a Walstad method aquarium. Instead of a traditional aquarium trying to keep alive a fish in an unnatural, high-tech, high-chemical environment, Walstad aquarium embraces the natural cycle and has decay as part of the functional system. High plant density, thick substrate, no filtration, letting waste from the fish stay in the tank and be fertilizer for the plants. Using technology mindfully and purposefully and trusting nature as its functional natural system.
06/03/2025
Julia Nooteboom
